Author/Authors :
Rimaz, Siamak Department of Anesthesiology - Anesthesiology Research Center - Alzahra Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Soleimani, Robabeh Department of Psychiatry - Kavosh Behavioral - Cognitive and Addiction Research Center, Shafa Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Khoshrang, Hossein Department of Anesthesiology - Anesthesiology Research Center - Alzahra Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Alavi, Cyrus Emir Razi Clinical Research Development Center - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Biazar, Gelareh Department of Anesthesiology - Anesthesiology Research Center - Alzahra Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Ahmadi, Mohadese Department of Anesthesiology - Anesthesiology Research Center - Alzahra Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Tayefeh Ashrafiyeh, Mahin Department of Anesthesiology - Anesthesiology Research Center - Alzahra Hospital - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Zakariapour, Shamin Student Research Committee - School of Medicine - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Today, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is used to manage many psychiatric
illnesses. Although this treatment is safe and effective, sometimes it may cause frequent, short-term
complications.
Objectives: We investigated ECT-related side effects in the recovery ward of an academic hospital
in Iran.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Shafa Hospital on 235 patients.
During the procedure, patients were monitored by electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, and noninvasive
blood pressure measurements. General anesthesia induction was performed by propofol
1-1.5 mg/kg followed by succinylcholine 0.5 mg/kg as a muscle relaxant. Airway control was
maintained by mask ventilation. After short hyperventilation, an electrical current was delivered to
the brain through two electrodes placed bilaterally on the temporal region, resulting in a seizure that
lasted between 20 to 60 seconds. A questionnaire, including demographic information and possible
complications, was filled out in the recovery ward. Data were analyzed an reported by frequency
reporting and t-test in SPSS software V. 20.
Results: Among 235 cases, 160 (68.1%) had at least one complication. A total of 53 patients (22.6%)
reported myalgia which was significantly higher in the male gender. Also, 89 patients (37.9%)
reported headache, 15 (6.4%) nausea, 7 (3%) shivering, and 84 (35.5%) pain at the injection site.
Male gender and younger people were more prone to myalgia.
Conclusion: We found that headache, myalgia, and pain in the injection site were the main patients’
reported complaints after ECT.
